Nagata has been with OMKM since it was founded in 2000 and has served as OMKM director on an interim basis for nearly four years. She holds an MBA from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and an MS degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University. Nagata also has extensive experience coordinating programs, conferences and events, as well as research and feasibility studies in both public and private sectors.

“We’re delighted that Stephanie will continue to head the Office of Mauna Kea Management,” Straney said. “With more than a decade of experience as associate director and interim director, she has first-hand knowledge of the most critical issues facing management of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, which will serve her well in addressing the challenges ahead.”

OMKM is a part of UH Hilo and is charged with the overall management responsibilities for the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. The office works closely with the community-based, seven-member Mauna Kea Management Board (MKMB) and is advised on cultural matters by the Kahu Ku Mauna council, which is comprised of nine Hawaiian resource persons from the island of Hawai‘i.

MKMB Chair Barry Taniguchi stated, “As the only original board member remaining from 2000, I can appreciate the importance of having someone with Stephanie’s experience and institutional memory lead OMKM in the years to come. She knows first-hand the sacrifices that many individuals have made to establish a new management process that had to overcome decades of community mistrust. Anyone involved with the process since 2000 will not soon forget that the credibility and respect that was built can never be taken lightly.”

While serving as interim director, Nagata led OMKM through the completion of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan, which included both Cultural and Natural Resources management sub-plans critical to the protection of the mountain.